Footnotes: How to Identify Your Foot Pain & Strategies for Relief

Why would I write a book on feet? Feet are a fundamental part of the human body. They support our whole bodies from the ground up and help us move around and participate in daily activities. Feet take us around the world and bring us home again. Without feet, we could not run to help others or walk arm in arm with our loved ones. And yet, nearly 25 percent of us suffer from everyday foot pain1.

Many people consider surgery a guaranteed solution to their pain. Unfortunately, the desired outcome is not always a reality. Surgery may actually cause further pain. Foot and ankle surgery has an 11 percent incidence of complications, and some 4.4 percent develop more severe and complex pain following surgery. And, surgery cannot be undone. If you buy a house or a car that you do not like, you can sell it to someone else. But surgery is irreversible, and you cannot pass it on. Hence, we must explore all non-surgical options to treat foot pain before we consider surgery as an option. Many non-surgical options are very effective. It’s a matter of exploring your options and finding the right solution that works for you and your unique feet.

In Foot Notes, I outline common foot ailments, what causes each, and options for treatments. Orthotics are a simple and affordable solution to obtain relief without surgery. And, they work well for a variety of foot conditions and foot pain types.

In my own life, Aetrex Orthotics have been a life changer and maybe even a lifesaver. My family has a strong history of heart disease and heart attacks. Recent events put the fear of life into me. I wanted to become healthier by taking up cardiovascular activity. Unfortunately, I could not run because of gout. I had pain in my left foot and right knee. However, by using Aetrex Orthotics, I was able to start running. Slowly, I built up my fitness. I now weigh less, run regularly, and I’m much healthier overall. My running is slow, and I take about 40 minutes to complete five kilometers. But the difference is I can run. Aetrex Orthotics have given me that ability.

Many people like me have foot or musculoskeletal pain only when they are running. My advice to them is to use an orthotic. It is like having a better tire when you are about to undertake a long car journey. Similarly, you need good support under your feet to run and stay healthy. The soft but firm orthotics from Aetrex create natural conditions for the foot to keep your body aligned and supported.

My own experience inspired me to write Foot Notes. I want to help people with foot and ankle pain without resorting to surgical intervention, and I’m grateful for my partnership with Aetrex to bring this vital information to you.

George Ampat, MBBS, MS & FRCS

DISCLAIMER

This book is intended to provide general educational information only. It is not meant to be used as a substitute for any type of professional medical advice. Each patient and condition is unique, and solutions, treatments, and results vary. Please do not rely on anything in this book without first seeking professional advice from a qualified physician or foot specialist.

Dr. George Ampat is a highly regarded medical expert on treating back, neck, and foot pain without surgical intervention. Ampat is a consultant orthopedic surgeon at the NHS Royal Liverpool University Hospital and a clinical teacher and equality, diversity, and inclusion lead at the University of Liverpool, School of Medicine. Ampat is also the secondary care director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, an organization devoted to transforming healthcare through lifestyle medicine.
An orthopedic surgeon for many years, Ampat took his medical knowledge and combined it with patient lifestyle choices to create BANDAIDE, a rehabilitation program to treat back and neck discomfort. For seniors with generalized musculoskeletal pain, he developed Free from Pain, a 12-week therapeutic exercise program to increase natural strength.
As a consultant to Aetrex Worldwide, Inc., he is regularly involved with research, teaching, and speaking. Ampat is the author of Simple Steps to Help with Back & Neck Pain and BANDAIDE, a self-help book for addressing back and neck pain.
Ampat enjoys time with his wife and two daughters. He derives his inspiration from his eldest daughter Talita who is profoundly handicapped and wheelchair-bound due to Cerebral Palsy. Ampat attends church regularly and occasionally preaches on Sunday.